Distribution Support

About the Funding

Distribution Support Funding is available for Irish Distribution companies releasing Screen Ireland-supported films theatrically on the island of Ireland. This funding is to be used in addition to the Distributor’s general release costs rather than in replacement of them. 

Funding is available to enhance the scope and visibility of the film in cinemas in Ireland (including Northern Ireland). Only feature films already in receipt of Screen Ireland Production or Completion Funding are eligible to apply.

Under this scheme, Screen Ireland will contribute to the eligible costs of the publicity and promotion of qualifying films in the Irish market. The following are considered as eligible costs.

Eligible costs

• Media space costs: TV, press, radio, outdoor, online
• Digital marketing materials
• Publicity costs: Media screenings, talent visits, festivals in Ireland* 
• PR agency fees, if this work is not handled in-house and if approved by Screen Ireland
• Promotional costs: Trailer design and edit, website, talker screenings, special promotions, manufacture and distribution of merchandise for promotional use only**
• Accessibility costs: The creation of materials to allow and enhance accessibility to all audiences including those with a disability
• Limited UK theatrical release costs if UK rights have been acquired by the Irish Distributor.

Distributors are expected to take responsibility for the preparation of a film for release in the Irish market (and the UK market if applicable) as part of their general business costs. Please note the following costs are ineligible:

Ineligible costs

• Company overheads including staff
• Alcohol
• Catering 
• Gifts
• Fuel, mileage, road tolls, parking
• Taxis (except for talent when necessary)
• Awards Submissions e.g. IFTAs - no more than 50% of costs
• Distributor expenses relating to their core release costs
• Creation of UK and international key art, posters, press ads, TV/radio spots, press book (Irish modification costs for these materials can be considered eligible spend)
• Costs of creating DCPs of either film or trailer
• Certification costs
• Despatch costs, tracking costs

Sub-Distribution / Service Agreements

In the case of Irish Distribution companies sub-distributing or servicing films, any funding awarded will be tailored in accordance with the overall spend and plan of each release. It is expected the main distributor will carry the majority of costs with the request to Screen Ireland reflecting only the additional costs incurred directly by the Irish distribution company to amplify the release here.
Particular care should be taken when dividing Irish and UK/international costs at application stage. 
Fees paid to the Irish distributor must be clearly outlined in the sub-distribution/service agreement and may not form part of the eligible spend budget.
Generally, films which are released under a sub-distribution agreement should expect a lower amount of funding.

*For films screening at Irish festivals and events which are already in receipt of Screen Ireland funding Distributors must ensure that double funding does not occur.
** Screen Ireland expects promotional or other activity (such as standees and printed brochures, T-Shirts etc…) to be produced in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Criteria

A decision by Screen Ireland to assist the release of a qualifying film in Ireland, and the UK in limited circumstances, will be predicated on a positive assessment of the distributor's campaign, release plan and overall P&A budget. An application should demonstrate how Screen Ireland Distribution Support will enable the film to be more effectively publicised and promoted than if backed by the distributor's resources alone.

Who Can Apply

Screen Ireland Distribution Support funding is available to bona fide distribution companies established in the Republic of Ireland which are planning to release a qualifying film theatrically in Ireland (including Northern Ireland), and the UK in limited circumstances.

To be considered as a bona fide distribution company, and thus eligible to apply for funding under this scheme, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that it is in the business of distributing films regularly in the Irish market. Funding under this scheme is not available to non-Irish companies planning direct distribution of a qualifying film in the Irish market.

Qualifying films for the purposes of this scheme are full-length feature films (fiction, animation or documentary) that are already in receipt of Screen Ireland Production or Completion funding. Qualifying films will demonstrate that an adequate theatrical window is available prior to a broadcast or platform release in the territory.

Costs shared by another territory i.e. the UK must be delineated clearly in the application and in the final reporting delivered to Screen Ireland after the release. In order for limited UK theatrical release costs to be considered eligible the applicant company must provide satisfactory evidence of acquisition of the necessary rights in relation to the qualifying film for the UK market.

Screen Ireland can contract only with companies incorporated in the Republic of Ireland.

Distribution Support loans are provided in the form of limited-recourse loans recoverable from a share of revenues from the exploitation of the film. Repayment of this loan is applicable once the distributor expenses and commission, which will have been agreed in advance with Screen Ireland, have been recouped.

Distributors may apply for Distribution Support funding to cover 90% of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of €100,000. Screen Ireland will need to be convinced that the award requested will actually make a difference to the film’s outcome and is truly additional rather than a replacement for funds that the distributor might be reasonably be expected to invest, given the creative and commercial aspirations of the film. 

Please note that the maximum funding amount is only awarded where there is significant investment from the Irish distributor and which fully satisfy the criteria. The scale of release and promise of the film should be clearly demonstrated by the applicant.

Making an Application

Applications can be made online using the 'Make an Application' button on this page. Applications which do not meet the criteria set out in these guidelines will be automatically withdrawn.

The application deadlines for 2026 can be found in the Production Funding Guidelines and in the left sidebar on this page. Distribution applications outside of these deadlines may be considered on an exceptional basis, if a compelling reason is presented to and approved by the Head of Audiences.

Screen Ireland’s Head of Audiences, Emma Scott, must be consulted prior to making an application. A copy of the film must be made available to the Head of Audiences for viewing prior to making an application. 

If you wish to make an application for funding by post, contact 091 561 398 for the relevant application form.

Please note that the application portal closes at 1pm on the day of the application deadline.

This page was last updated on 02.03.2026.